Before you go!

Sign up for the FREE weekly email newsletter from the publishers of American Nurse Today. You’ll get breaking news features, exclusive investigative stories, and more — delivered to your inbox.

Sign up today!

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

*By submitting your e-mail, you are opting in to receiving information from Healthcom Media and Affiliates. The details, including your email address/mobile number, may be used to keep you informed about future products and services.

Occupational and environmental health nurses (OHNs) promote health and wellness, prevent illness and injury, and protect workers from work-related and environmental hazards. OHNs are recognized not only for their expertise on health-related issues but also for their understanding of the business side of corporate operations.

OHNs wear many hats and gain expertise as their roles evolve and diversify. OHNs may work as case managers to help ill or injured employees get back to work, offer crisis counseling, ensure employers comply with federal and state workforce regulations, monitor workplace hazards, and conduct research to analyze hazards and develop control measures. They also have a strong presence in community groups.

Voice of OHNs
The professional voice of OHNs is the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN), an ANA organizational affiliate and the largest group of healthcare providers serving workers, worker populations, and communities. By joining AAOHN, new and experienced OHNs can promote their professional growth. An annual conference, web casts, a monthly newsletter, the peer-reviewed AAOHN Journal, and other resources allow members to stay up-to-date on information and standards in occupational and environmental health nursing. To learn more about AAOHN, visit http://www.aaohn.org/ or call 800-241-8014.